The final match of the OFC Champions League preliminary stage is set to take place today (31th Jan) at Ngahue Reserve in Auckland. The Cook Islands side Tupapa Maraerenga only needs one point to qualify for the next stage, as they hold Lupe o le Soaga to a 0-0 draw in their debut in the competition. The Tonga representative side Veitongo will need a win at any costs to proceed in the competition if they want to turn into the first Tongan side to compete in the modern format of the OFC Champions League group stage. Veitongo suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Samoan side Lupe o le Soaga in the first game of the competition and win is all what they need against Tupapa. The Samoan is already qualified for the next stage as they got four points in the table with a draw and a win.
Harlem Simiona (white) of Tupapa were not able to surpass Zane Green (purple) of Lupe – OFC Media
Tupapa is the favourite for the encounter; the club counts with the experience of players as the Chilean midfielder André Estay, the Cook Islands international Grover Harmon, Harlem Simiona and Ishaq Nazeem. The Cook Islands champions never failled to proceed to the group stage through the preliminary matches in the modern era of the OFC Champions League. Tupapa Maraerenga did not impress in their first match against Lupe o le Soaga – some players felt hard to play in the turf of Ngahue Reserve – and they will be surely looking for a better performance to seal their spot in the group stage.
The Tongans come for the tournament without many of their important players as the Tongan international defender Sione Tui’fangaloka. Veitongo played a very good second half, but were unable to find the back of the net – losing even a penalty when Vai Lutu was stopped by the experienced Zane Green.
Hemaloto Polovili is the dangerman of Veitongo – OFC Media
Veitongo will look to defend well couting with the likes of Opesi Tui’fangaloka and Sione Uhatahi and hoping with good combinatios with the talented and always dangerous Hemaloto Polovili and the pacy Pita Uhatahi upfront. The goalkeeper Sinilau Taufa was a standout for Veitongo in their debut against Lupe o le Soaga, avoiding many goal opportunities from the Samoan champions.
The match will be streamed by Oceania Football Confederation in the MyCujoo platform. The match is set to kick-off at 4pm NZT.
After the schedule and dates of the upcoming OFC Nations Cup were released, all local federations of Oceania have a clear picture of the time they will have to preapre their national teams for the most important football competition of ther region. New Zealand already stated they will be fielding a U23 team in the competition and Fiji already named their new head coach in order to prepare for the competition. The competiton is nearing, but still one of the most football crazy nations in Oceania is still to announce their new head coach and to inform their fans what will be done for their preparation for OFC Nations Cup 2020. Vanuatu already reached the semifinals of the tournament as their best campaign; having players as Brian Kaltak, Jason Thomas and Mitch Cooper can put them in a serious position to be contenders for the title of the tournament – but a good preparation is certainly required.
After the departure of the North-Irish coach Paul Munster that last coached Vanuatu national team in the Pacific Games in 2019 held in Samoa, the post as head coach for national team is empty. In the U23 Olympic Qualifiers in September, 2019 – the most recent international tournament played by the country – the local and experienced Etienne Mermer took place to guide the team that displayed a good football and achived the third place in the competition.
Mermer with Vanuatu U23 in 2019 – OFC Media
Vanuatu has a big history at OFC Nations Cup, reaching the semi finals of the competition for four times – in 1973, 2000, 2002 and 2008. Despite their good records, they are still to reach the grand final match of the tournament – being unable to reach the semifinals in the last two editions of the Nations Cup, in 2012 and 2016.
In 2016 – the last edition of the OFC Nations Cup – the current co-coach of Galaxy in PVFA Premier League Moise Poida was the head coach of the team. Vanuatu was grouped alongside New Zealand, Fiji and Solomon Islands and ended at the bottom of the group with just one victory – against Fiji by 3-2 – unable to reach the semifinals and the next stage of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers. The best three ranked teams by each of the two groups in the competition would proceed to the third and final stage of the World Cup qualifiers in OFC.
Vanuatu football legend Moise Poida – OFC Media
In the 2012 edition of the competiton another local coach was the responsible to guide Vanuatu in the OFC Nations Cup. It was Percy Avock, that had experience of coaching in New Caledonia with the traditional AS Mont-Dore, most recently, in 2017, Percy Avock was in charge of Malampa Revivors in their first appearance in OFC Champions League.
Vanuatu was also not succesful in their campaign in edition held in Solomon Islands. They lost two of their three matches, being able just to beat Samoa by 5-0. Tahiti and New Caledonia, both sides who completed the group, advanced for the semifinals and both met in the grand final where Tahiti won by 1-0.
Percy Avock when coach of AS Mont-Dore – LNC
In 2008 the format of the competition was different: the 2007 South Pacific Games held in Apia would serve as part of the OFC World Cup qualifiers and qualify three teams for the next stage – the 2008 OFC Nations Cup – to compete alongside New Zealand for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs. Another local – the current Tafea FC general manager Robert Calvo – was in charge as head coach of the national side. Calvo was succesful to qualify Vanuatu for the OFC Nations Cup, as they earned bronze in the 2007 South Pacific Games.
Calvo and his players were grouped alongside New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji – being the first placed-side in the group the champions of the 2008 OFC Nations Cup. Vanuatu finished at 4th in the competition, but in the round-robin competition were able to draw against New Caledonia and win Fiji, both matches played at Korman Stadium, Port Vila.
Robert Calvo, the 2008 OFC Nations Cup head coach of Vanuatu
The most succesful coach in Vanuatu history comes from far away the Pacific Islands: the Uruguyan Juan Carlos Buzzetti coached the team from 2000 until 2004, being the responsible for three campaigns at OFC Nations Cup – 2000, 2002 and 2004, qualifying his team for two semifinals in the three competiton he coached the national side.
The 2000 Melanesian Cup – divided with two groups of five teams – served as qualifiers for the OFC Nations Cup in the same year. Vanuatu was not succesful in the Group A as they finshed 3rd – behind Fiji and Solomon Islands – and only the two spots would advance. Due a civil unrest in Fiji, the team could not proceed to the next stage and the spot was awarded to the 3rd placed Vanuatu in the run.
Vanuatu was grouped alongside New Zealand and Tahiti, losing to New Zealand but beating Tahiti in the process to qualify to the next stage. Vanuatu faced the powerful Australia in the semifinal, but the Buzzetti coached side were able to hold the Socceroos to only a 1-0 win. In the bronze medal match, Vanuatu was beaten by Solomon Islands by 2-1.
Buzzetti, the Uruguyan also coached Fiji – FFA Media
In 2002, Vanuatu reached the semifinals once again under the guidance of Buzzetti. They lost their match against Australia by 2-0 in the Group A, but were able to beat Fiji and New Caledonia to reach the decisive playoffs.
In Auckland, New Zealand was the opponent of the Ni-Vanuatu side. Unfortunatelty for the Uruguyan and his team, they suffered a 3-0 defeat by the hands of the home side. Vanuatu could got their first bronze medal in the competition, but they were once more beaten at the 3rd place match playoff by 1-0 against Tahiti.
In 2004 OFC Nations Cup Vanuatu could not reach the same success they had in their previous two editions, but one epic moment happened in their football history, understood to be the most important achievement of Vanuatu football history: their 4-2 win against New Zealand. Their schocking win against the All-Whites took them out of the final match of the tournament. Vanuatu lost all other matches in the competition, but Buzzetti and his players could celebrate a fantastic moment.
The Vanuatu team in their victory over New Zealand Stand (L-R): Moise Poida, Larry Thompsen, Geoffrey Gete, Alphonse Qorig, Lexa Bibi and David Chilia (C) Crouched (L-R): Seimata Chilia, Fredy Vava, Graham Demas, Jean Maleb and Tom Manses.
Vanuatu has a lot of potential in their country; already introducing to Oceania very good players – since the historical Richard Iwai until the current days star Brian Kaltak. Their organization might be crucial to find another impressive result in the upcoming 2020 OFC Nations Cup – but the time is running out and, even having very good players, it is necessary to make a team from it good enough to compete at the regional stage. The fans are intrigued, waiting the steps of Vanuatu Football Federation.
It is being reported that Vanuatu player Alex Saniel could be joining Lautoka from Fiji. The 23 years old forward has some experience at New Zealand lower leagues and he could be a good addition for the Bluez as they have already lost Samuela Drudru and Benjamin Totori while Dave Radrigai might be leaving as well.
Saniel playing for Lautoka in 2019 Pacific Cup. Source: NZFFI Media
Erick Joe Ribeiro is one of the Brazilian players that recently arrived in Papua New Guinea to play for Hekari United. He is a 24 year-old defender with some experience in the Brazilian regional leagues. Oceania Football Center talked to him about his first days in PNG and his expectations for 2020 OFC Chahmpions League.
Erick and Vinícius arrived in Port Moresby two weeks ago to sign with Hekari United. Both players came from Brazil through the same players agency – “I was playing for União Mogi from Brazil and I came to Hekari United through Millennium Soccer Agency,” said the Brazilian defender.
Erick Joe signed for Hekari United to play 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: Millennium Soccer
He stated that he is enjoying his first days with his new teams but he pointed out one big problem: the weather – “It is too hot here but I am feeling comfortable now […] Hekari is an excellent club.” Things are becoming easier for him due to a budding relationship with his new teammates – “I have no words to describe them and the coaching staff. I am being very well received”.
Erick knows about Hekari’s winning history and he made it clear: “We want to win championships and we are working hard for it,” Hekari is currently leading the 2019-20 Papua New Guinean National Soccer League with five wins in five matches.
Hekari built a strong squad for 2020 with strong local players and some shrewd foreign signings. This year might be something special for the team because it has been ten years since they won OFC Champions League for the first (and only) time in history.
There are some strong teams like Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs from New Zealand but there are also some good teams from other countries like Ba (Fiji), Galaxy (Vanuatu) and Hienghène Sport (New Caledonia). Hekari can compete with most of these teams and have a good campaign. However they do not want to be a supporting actor in the continental championship – “We want to do it again,” said the Brazilian player.
It may be a bit obvious that people predict that the New Zealand’s clubs are favourites to win the league but Erick points an important thing – “Everyone knows how to play football nowadays. It is all about details, tactics and training,” Hekari United have an experienced head coach that may take them to the next level.
Ba FC already count on three players that took part of Lautoka’s squad last year: Beniaminio Mateinaqara, Benjamin Totori and Samuela Drudru. And it seems that they want one more player from the Bluez: Dave Radrigai.
The interest on Radrigai was confirmed by Ba’s manager Arvind Singh. There is nothing concrete but things can be decided soon as the transfer window closes tomorrow.
Reid is 31 years old and he is playing for West Ham since 2010. He recently came back from a severe knee injury and playing in MLS can be a good chance to have some gametime at a good level again.
Michael Oyesanya is one of the newest players of Suva for 2020. The 32 years old Nigerian player adds lots of experience to the Fijian club. Oyesanya already played in African and Asian countries and he last played for Kiwi from Samoa.
Oyesanya is a versatile player that can perform as a right back or as a defensive midfielder. He arrived to Fiji alongside with his countryman Afonja Jibola that was also playing in Samoa for Kiwi FC. Both players arrived in Fiji after Suva’s president got in touch with Kiwi FC president to sign with them.
Oyesanya (wearing blue) playing for Kiwi in 2019.
They recently arrived but they already have high expectations for the 2020 season – “A lot is expected from us and we also expect to be the champions at the end of the season,” said Oyesanya.
The Nigerian defender played in some countries like Ghana, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and he pointed some things about football in Oceania – “Football in Oceania is quite different […] Oceania still need to improve on technical areas although they are already trying to,” he stated.
Suva will debut in the 2020 Vodafone Premier League on Saturday against Labasa at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Current Port Vila Premier League leaders Tafea FC have a major blow for the second half of 2019-20 season because two important players that are going to work in Australia for a few months: attacking midfielder Malakai Andrew and central defender Junior Felix.
Malakai Andrew is one of the players that will not play the rest of the season for Tafea
Tafea will be in trouble to replace these two players and some others that left the team like midfielder Edisson Stephens (on loan to Galaxy) and Jeffery Bob that is not going to stay with the team for the rest of the season. It was reported that Tafea are going to count on youth players to complete the team.
Some remaining players like goalkeeper James Iamar, defender Gordshen Dona, midfielder John Thomas and fowards Jordy Tasip and Allista Kalip must play key roles in order to help the team in the 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League title race.
Raphael Le’ai is the top scorer of 2019-20 Telekom S-League, the Solomon Islands national football league. The 17 years old forward scored 24 goals in seven matches to help Henderson Eels to finish the league in the second position.
Le’ai arrived in the mid-season transfer window alongside with central defender Leon Kofana after spending the year with Scots College from New Zealand.
New Zealand Football announced the ISPS Handa Premiership Team of the Week 11 and Brian Kaltak was one of the eleven players named for the team. The Auckland City’s defender from Vanuatu played a solid match in the 0-0 draw against Team Wellington last weekend.
2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership Team of the Week 11. Source: NZF Media
Kaltak is having a wonderful season playing for the Navy Blues. The 26 years old player has already been named for the “Team of The Week” for four times in the current season. Only five players have been named for the “Team of The Week” for four times this season: Brian Kaltak, Myer Bevan and Angel Berlanga (Auckland City) – Jack-Henry Sinclair and Ollie Bassett (Team Wllington). You can check all “Team of the Week” awards from 2019-20 season by clicking here.
Kaltak playing against Team Wellington. Source: NZF Media
That is Kaltak’s second season with Auckland City and he is one of the best players in the ISPS Handa Premiership. It seems that the 26 years old central defender is ready for the next step and play outside OFC region.
